On Jan 5, 11:41*am, gpsman wrote:
*Got the first bid on replacement windows from a national company for
this 1939 hovel. *Included is a "mandatory" per window "Lead
Renovation Fee" per "Federal Lead Containment Law".
Eh, something just don't seem right...
I Google and find:
4. Abatement does not include renovation, remodeling, landscaping or
other activities, when such activities are not designed to permanently
eliminate lead-based paint hazards, but, instead, are designed to
repair, restore, or remodel a given structure or dwelling, even though
these activities may incidentally result in a reduction or elimination
of lead-based paint hazards.http://www.epa.gov/lead/pubs/traincert.htm
EPA requires that firms performing renovation, repair, and painting
projects that disturb lead-based paint in pre-1978 homes, child care
facilities and schools be certified by EPA and that they use certified
renovators who are trained by EPA-approved training providers to
follow lead-safe work practices.
Contractors must use lead-safe work practices and follow these three
simple procedures:
Contain the work area.
Minimize dust.
Clean up thoroughly.http://www.epa.gov/lead/pubs/renovation.htm
Those don't sound like things I wouldn't expect to be "professional"
SOP.
Of note: According to the sales manager of a smaller regional company
the replacement window market is so strong it was perfectly reasonable
for their CSR to decline to bid if my wife wouldn't agree to sit down
for a sales presentation. *Bidding, he said, would be "a waste of
time".
*I can install my own windows, but I'm not so inclined, yet.
Any similar experiences out there?
*-----
- gpsman
As far as bidding wthout a presentation I can possibly see his point.
I did my own windows, but I got a couple of bids mainly so I could see
what was out there - window-wise and price-wise - but also because I
didn't know what I didn't know.
I knew that I could physically do the work and I was pretty sure I had
all of the tools, but I considered getting bids as part of learning
process to make sure I didn't miss anything.
Here's what I found:
2 bids were from places where I went into the store/showroom, where
they showed me various product lines and then came out, took some
measurements and sent me a quote. Based on what they quoted me - and
what they included in the quote - I knew what I would get for my money
and determined that I could do it "better" and "cheaper" - but not
faster. ;-)
The third was from a place that sent out a salesman with a little
miniature yet fully operational window, a case of cut-aways showing
how well their windows were constructed and a catalog full of options.
The problem was, this place did not have an entry-level or even meduim-
level line of windows. Everything they had was the best of the best
and the quote reflected that.
Had they simply bid on the job wthout the presentation, I would have
laughed in their face. However, after seeing their product, I at least
uderstood why they were so much more expensive. If I was rolling in
dough and wanted windows that were actually too good for my house, I
could have rationalized their price and given them the job. Without
the presentation, it wouldn't have even made sense to think about it.
Yes, I know that the price also included the expense for the
presentation, but nonetheless, the presentation helped make the cost
seem a bit more justified.
Thus, a bid without a presentation would have been a waste of their
time because I wouldn't have really known what I was getting for my
money.